Danilo Petrucci: First time the KTM feels like my bike

Danilo Petrucci used the latest KTM chassis for the first time during a MotoGP weekend on his way to a competitive eleventh place (+0.592s) during Friday practice at Sachsenring.

But while the revised frame - which has helped factory star Miguel Oliveira take 2-1 finishes in the last two rounds and top day one in Germany - aided performance it was a change in set-up that made the RC16 feel like Petrucci's bike for the first time.

Due to his larger size compared to the other KTM riders, the Italian has been using a longer wheelbase to try and prevent overloading of the front tyre as the weight transfers forwards under hard braking.

But with the Sachsenring having only two hard braking areas, Petrucci has been able to go in the other direction in Germany - with instant results.

"I'm happy about today. Especially the second session, I was constantly in the top ten with the medium tyre, which can be a good race tyre. I was quite happy because for the first time I felt the bike really competitive and really like it's my bike," said Petrucci.

"I'm still getting used to the bike and I always say that the bike is a little bit too small for me. But in this track there are not so many braking areas and I tried to go in the other direction [with set-up].

"For the first time this year I'm having more feeling on the front and since the start of the session, I felt a different bike. I was immediately in the '21s. It's the first day of this year that I'm confident.

"We still have a weak point at the end of the straight at Turn 1, which is a good overtaking spot. I'm struggling a bit because the last corner is uphill and then it's quite tight. We are not so good there.

"But for example Turn 11, the Waterfall, is always good for my weight. It's one of the few corners on the calendar where I have an advantage because it's downhill and we have to stay on drive and not lean angle. Then having more weight on the rear is a help and I have a good opportunity to overtake into Turn 12. It's good to go downhill for me!

"We are also using the different chassis that you cannot feel a big difference with, but the lap time is always better so it's good… If we put everything together it's possible we can go directly into Qualifying 2 for the first time this year."

Petrucci, who also revealed KTM test rider Dani Pedrosa had given him some ideas to try as far as riding style, was the second fastest KTM after Oliveira, lapping 0.592s behind the Portuguese. Team-mate Iker Lecuona was 17th fastest.